Newbury MP responds to proposed boundary shake-up

Richard Benyon says he would be 'gutted' to lose Aldermaston

NEWBURY'S MP has responded to proposals that could see Aldermaston ward removed from his constituency.

The ward could be removed from the Newbury constituency and transferred to John Redwood's Wokingham constituency under proposals to reduce the number of MPs from 650 to 600.

The proposal comes from the Parliamentary Boundary Commissions, which is reviewing and recommending the new boundaries.

Newbury MP Richard Benyon said: "I would be gutted to lose Aldermaston ward because this is a much-loved part of my constituency that I have known all my life and represented firstly as its Councillor and then as MP."

"While I support the general point of the boundary changes and the intention to reduce the number of MPs, I strongly feel that this should be done in conjunction with House of Lords reform."

Mr Benyon said that he would consult with parish council's and Aldermaston's district councillor, Dominic Boeck, to see what could be done.

The consultation on the proposals runs for 12 weeks from today until December 5 and can be found on the Boundary Commission’s website www.bce2018.org.uk

The commission will make its report and recommendations in September 2018.